Established as an
independent service in 1923, the Regia Aeronautica
(Royal Italian Air Force) enjoyed for a time the reputation of being most
advanced air force in Europe. But Italy lacked the industrial and
technological resources to maintain a first-class military air arm, and by
the beginning of World War II the Regia Aeronautica
was the least
up-to-date of the major European air forces. Wartime operations in North
Africa and the Mediterranean took a heavy
toll of both men and machines, and by 1943 the Regia Aeronautica
was effectively finished as a fighting force.

During World War II,
senior officials of the Air Ministry and general officers of the
Regia Aeronautica were entitled to display flags with
stars corresponding to their rank. In all cases these flags were light blue with
red stars and insignia; proportions were 2:3. There were also pennants for the
commanders of wings, groups and squadrons.

The general serving as
Chief of Staff of the Air Force (usually in the rank of General of Air Corps) had
a special flag with the stars inside a red frame. The flag of a General
of Air Division had a crown between two
stars. The command pennants were often painted on the aircraft flown
by commanders of wings, groups, and squadrons.

Flag Proportions:
All rank flags of the Regia Aeronautica
had 2:3 proportions.

AIR MINISTER

UNDERSECRETARY OF THE AIR MINISTRY

CHIEF OF STAFF OF
THE AIR FORCE

AIR
MARSHAL • Maresciallo dell'Aria

GENERAL OF AIR FORCE •Generale d'Armata Aerea

GENERAL OF
AIR
CORPS COMMANDING AN AIR FORCEGenerale designato d'Armata Aerea